Ambitious McGuigan is eyeing tour to Argentina

HUNGRY hooker George McGuigan has vowed to stake a claim for England’s summer tour by helping Leicester salvage their season with a top four Premiership finish.

McGuigan, who joined Tigers from Newcastle last summer, has been one of the success stories of a rollercoaster campaign after building on his two appearances for England Saxons in South Africa last June to make 21 Tigers’ appearances.

With England hookers Dylan Hartley and Jamie George vying for Lions call-ups, a door could open for McGuigan for England’s trip to Argentina.

McGuigan faces competition from Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tommy Taylor, but told “It would obviously be amazing if the chance to tour Argentina came but I’ve got to play more games and do well for Leicester before worrying about that.

“The Saxons gave me a foot in the door, though, and I want to play at the highest level I can.”

With Wasps, Exeter and Saracens seemingly racing clear, Leicester are vying with Bath, Northampton and Harlequins for the remaining play-off spot.

McGuigan said: “We’re only one point off the top four and nothing else is good enough. That’s our remit and we’ve got Northampton and Bath coming up, which are obviously huge games, but we’re playing good rugby under Aaron Mauger.

“We had a setback against Exeter after three successive league wins but we’re playing more headsup rugby and we’re confident of winning the games we need.”

Newcastle were desperately disappointed to lose the combative McGuigan last year, but he is happy with his decision to move.

He added: “It’s been a rollercoaster with all the coaching changes, and there’s a lot more pressure on players at Leicester. But I’ve if you’d said I’d play 20odd games by this stage I’d have been very happy.

“I’ve learned a lot from Tom Youngs about resilience and leadership and, hopefully, I’ll push him for that starting jersey.”